Poll

Religion

Throughout time, the story of David and Goliath has been taught in Sunday School classes and proclaimed in sermons. Often, the one teaching or preaching has charged the listeners to be like David by facing one’s fears and overcome them in victory. The problem is that this passage is not about a scared shepherd boy facing the military giant with fear and trembling, rather it is a story that depicts a shepherd boy whose faith in God is so great that fear of Goliath does not exist.

The Holy Spirit has been described as “God in the heart of the Christian.” When Jesus told His disciples that He was going back to heaven, He said He would send someone to dwell in them. So the Holy Spirit came to live in the Christian’s heart.

In the Old Testament we find many scriptures that tell us of the Spirit of God coming upon individuals for certain tasks and there are occasions of this in New Testament times. But then came pentecost and the Holy Spirit dwelt within believers and filled them with power.

The Church of God in Magnolia will be hosting one day of Vacation Bible School from 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST on September 9. Activities include Bible classes, crafts, music, and outside fun. Parents welcome with children. For more information call Pastor Doris M. Randols at 270–765–5358.

Anxiety and depression touches over 40 million adults in the United States annually, almost 20% of our total population. Recently I got to sit down with Savannah Clemons, a local professional counselor, and talk with her through the subject of depression. Here are some excerpts from our discussion:

Jesus shared many parables in His short ministry on earth. One of the more familiar ones is the parable of talents (Mathew 25:14-30). A man before leaving on a journey called his slaves in and entrusted to them his possessions. To one he gave 5 talents (a talent was $1,000 in silver content), to another 2 talents and the third one talent.

The Church of God in Magnolia will be hosting one day of Vacation Bible School from 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. EST on September 9. Activities include Bible classes, crafts, music, and outside fun. Parents welcome with children. For more information call Pastor: Doris M. Randols 270–765–5358.

Houston. My hometown. Devastated. Thankfully my family is currently fine, but many are not. In times of disaster, what do we need to hear? What do we say to others? What do we do? How can we help? When tragedy comes, to ourselves or to others, we need answers on how to help and how to move forward together.

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

There are times we fail our friends, ourselves and even our Lord. At the moment of our greatest defeat, we discover the Gospel is good news for failures. It is the gospel of the second chance. The grace of God makes it possible for us to get up from failure and self-pity and get back into service and fellowship.

Consider how Simon Peter performed during the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. But despite his denial Peter was forgiven and reinstated (Luke 22:54-62).

Last weekend was one of the biggest events of the year. On the weekend, the Cobb Family Reunion is an annual event open to the community. Many family and friends travel from afar to attend this event. This leads up Sunday’s homecoming at First Baptist. For many years, the Church anniversary was always on the fourth Sunday in May and just the homecoming. This would have been the 88th Homecoming, but since both days have important history and tradition, the church decided to combine the two. This is the third year for the occasion.